Broadly speaking, we have evidence of four discrete phases in the transformation from man to Haunt. More might well exist, but to conduct a study of the farthest advanced stages of infection is beyond our present means. (Chiefly, the issue is of secure containment—to hold a Haunt past the ‘adolescent’ stage of development imperils all of Aytrium. See Chapter 9: The Cost of Mistakes.)

Stage One, or the Incipient Phase, is characterised by minor changes in physiognomy and mental state. After the subject has contracted the infection, the Incipient Phase may last up to a month. During this period, the subject may experience nausea, an aversion to certain foods, persistent irritability, paranoia, mild insomnia, increased sensitivity to sound and smell, and joint pain.

Stage Two, or Basic Manifestation, sees an escalation of existing symptoms: severe insomnia, aggression, drastic weight loss, depression. This phase may be as brief as a week, depending on the individual. Here, the more obvious visual cues become apparent. Secondary teeth begin to develop, the subject grows taller as his bones soften and regrow, and a distinctive yellow discolouration stains his irises. Frequently, these changes are accompanied by aggravated itching; subjects will often scratch themselves until their skin bleeds. After Basic Manifestation, the subject becomes unsuitable for use in Renewals, and expresses an intense craving for human flesh, most especially that belonging to Sisters.

Someone in the parlour laughed loudly. I jumped and looked up, but the low babble of conversation continued unchanged. Presumably, it was not yet dinner time. My heart rate slowed.

Stage Three, or Adolescence, often blurs with Basic Manifestation. Some symptoms may grow alarmingly more advanced before others even manifest. However, the key characteristic of this stage is that the subject completely loses the capacity to sleep, even with the aid of drugs. Speech becomes increasingly difficult, as does the capacity for empathy, reason, memory, etc. The subject’s appearance is wholly changed (see illustration 16B), and he gains a form of preternatural strength, agility, and speed. Sensitivity to smell and sound far exceeds human capacities, and antler-like protrusions emerge from the skull. This phase lasts approximately two weeks.

Stage Four, or Early Maturity, sees the onset of necrosis. Subjects are no longer capable of human feeling, and will not recognise even close family members or friends. Bones regain their hardness, irises are a flat shade of yellow, and secondary teeth are fully developed. Subjects are insatiably hungry and appear impervious to injury. With their prior personalities and natures all but obliterated, a new intelligence emerges in the absence of the old. Researchers have witnessed Haunts using lures to prey upon their victims, and they appear able to accurately mimic human voices. Unconfirmed reports of stranger abilities exist, but perhaps belong more to the domain of fiction.

To be certain, more advanced stages of infection exist in the Haunts of Ventris, and study of these …

“Good book?”

I started guiltily. Jesane stood above me.

“You appeared quite engrossed,” she said.